Lotus Renault F1 Team Will Not Change Team Manager

Group Lotus' latest move in Formula One – purchasing a big part of the Enstone based Renault F1 Team to become major equity partner in the organization – will not be followed by important changes in terms of team management. At least that's what Group Lotus' high profile CEO Dany Bahar revealed in a recent interview with F1's official website.

“Given their (Renault's) performance this year, the structure really works so we have no plans whatsoever to change this,” said Bahar, addressing the rumors according to which the new team ownership would be in search of another team manager for the 2011 campaign.

Eric Boullier was named team manager of the Enstone squad back in 2009, following Genii Capital's buyout of the former Renault F1 Team. A few days back, the French manufacturer sold the remaining of its shares in the team to the Luxembourg based company, a move followed by Lotus' buyout.

However, Bahar avoided to confirm the exact percentage Group Lotus has bought into the Enstone organization, insisting that it's not an important issue at the moment.

“Whether it is 40, 50 or 60 per cent is something that does not really matter. What matters is that it is a real partnership with clearly defined roles and responsibilities,” added the Group Lotus official.

“Its (Lotus') spending on F1 will come from a portion of its marketing budget of between 15 and 20 million per annum,” added Group Lotus owner Proton's chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, referring to the money Lotus will bring in for the 2011 programme of the newly-formed team.